Dear Friends,

We are sorry that there has been a longer than usual gap between newsletters but this will help to explain. 

Following the killings of fellow Christians at the Baptist Hospital in Jibla and what was said by the perpetrator of the crime, Christ Church was seen as a possible target for attack. No one was quite sure how the religious fundamentalists active in Yemen might react once the conflict with Iraq began. So after consultation with the British Embassy and Bishop Clive we decided that it was prudent to withdraw from Aden whilst that conflict ensued. Dr. Assefa also decided to leave, saying that as a Christian he didn’t feel it was safe to stay. Fortunately, Gail had reached the end of a term of English teaching and was due to take leave in May when her contract ended and spend at least three months in Scotland with her family so it was convenient for her to bring her departure date forward a little. Valentina, who has many Russian friends in Yemen, decided that she would stay and we made provision for a ticket home for her should she need to leave the country. 

We were out of Yemen for eight weeks and maintained daily contact by email. In the event it seems that all was relatively quiet in Yemen during the time of the war with Iraq except for some anti-war demonstrations in which a few people were killed in Sana’a. There were also some volunteers from Yemen who went to Iraq to fight against the coalition forces.

Although the British Foreign Office did not change their advice against travel to Yemen and those few who remained here were still advised to consider leaving, we decided to travel back on 3^rd May. The Embassy remains closed and only staffed by the Ambassador and the new Deputy Head of Mission (whose wife is not allowed to join him). We found Aden quieter than ever with even fewer familiar faces, the port practically dead, no seafarers at the Church Centre and only five or six of us at worship. There used to be a time when we could meet people on the beach and have a chat but even the beaches are now almost deserted.  

The staff here were very glad to have us back and although there had been a reduction in the number of patients attending both clinics, they had continued to function well. Sadly Dr.Assefa decided not to return but our old friend Dr. John Sandford-Smith came for ten days at the end of May bringing with him Dr.Ajit Butt and his wife. They are ex colleagues of John, both GP’s, but Ajit also does eye surgery and Alice, his wife, is a radiographer so was able to spend time in the Family Clinic encouraging them. Just like London buses, we wait for ages for an eye doctor and then three come along together! John and Ajit were joined on 31^st May by Dr.Jan Tynovsky from Prague. He has been here before and has several friends still around Aden and knows our staff well. Jan will be here for about six weeks so he will be able to continue the work in the Eye Clinic at a more gentle pace after John and Ajit have cleared the operations list. We are very fortunate to have the services of such generous people but it would be so good to have our own resident Ophthalmic surgeon. We are hoping to arrange training in ophthalmic surgery for Dr.Amal, who is a qualified GP in the Eye Clinic. For this training she will have to go to India for about two years and we are looking for monetary support from CBM.

Also on 31st May we joined with Fr. Matthew, the Roman Catholic Priest and his congregation in a Mass of Thanksgiving for receiving back from the Yemeni government the Church of the Immaculate Conception at Ma’alla. The Church was received back at the end of  2001 when it and the attached accommodation was in need of complete renovation.  The service began with prayers at the graves of the Sisters of Charity who were killed in 1998 in Hodeidah.  Following this we entered the church, the Rosary was said and Mass celebrated; Fr. Matthew being the chief celebrant assisted by Fr. Sebastian from Taiz and myself. It was a very happy and moving service followed by a meal together in the presbytery.  Everyone felt this to be a positive move on behalf of the Yemeni government and we continue to pray that eventually all Church property will be returned to its rightful owners.

We ourselves are engaged in negotiations to remove the bell from the redundant Garrison church in Salah Adeen and bring it to Christ Church.    

Our time here comes to an end on  July 2^nd. We will then take our leave in the UK and await our new appointment to St. Barnabas, Limassol, Cyprus to take over from Michael and Jean Jones when they retire. The Chaplaincy in Limassol is part Diocese and part Mission to Seafarers so it will be interesting and challenging. Our time in Yemen has been challenging in a different way with ups and downs and some spiritual loneliness and difficulties. Having said that, there is something very special about Aden and its people and we know that we will miss it very much. Christ Church and it’s unique style of ministry is an important witness here in Yemen and we ask you to join us in prayer that Our Lord will provide the right people to continue this ministry.  Irene and I wish to record our heartfelt thanks to all who have continued to give us their full support, love and prayers throughout our time in Aden.

May God’s blessings be yours.

Colin and Irene Noyce